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Today's Gossip: United Battle Chelsea For Rodriquez; Ox Eyes Exit

Manchester United and Chelsea are tracking Wolsburg full-back Ricardo Rodriguez and Sam Allardyce could return to Sunderland, all in to...

Manchester United and Chelsea are tracking Wolsburg
full-back Ricardo Rodriguez and Sam Allardyce could return to Sunderland, all
in today’s papers.

United And
Chelsea Target Rodriguez

Manchester United and Chelsea are understood to be chasing
Wolfsburg full-back Ricardo Rodriguez.

Chelsea are weighing up a January swoop for the left-back,
according to TransferMarketWeb, with the Daily Star reporting that United “are
apparently tracking him too”.

The report claims the 24-year-old Swiss defender is open to
a move away from the Bundesliga in January and Blues boss boss Antonio Conte is
said to be willing to splash the cash in the new year.

Rodriguez was thought to be on Conte’s radar this summer,
but he signed Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina instead. Now though Rodriguez is
believed to have come back into consideration with suggestions that Conte has
been left unimpressed by Alonso’s performances.

The 25-year-old signed for £23million on transfer deadline
day, but has only started two Premier League games. He started as a left wing
back in the recent wins over Hull and Leicester after Conte switched to a 3-4-3
formation.

Roma, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are believed to be
running the rule over Rodriguez, who has scored one goal in seven Bundesliga
appearances this season.

Man City Could Lose Trio To Roma On Free
Transfers

Serie A giants Roma are ready to make a triple swoop on
Manchester City, with the Sun declaring Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary
Sagna are all targets for the Giallorossi.

Luciano Spalletti is reportedly keen on all three
full-backs, as the trio are set to become free agents next summer.

Zabaleta is completely out of favour and Sagna is not seen
as a long-term option by Pep Guardiola, while Clichy is often overlooked in
favour of Aleksandr Kolarov.

Juve Trump United
For Uruguayan Super Talent

Manchester United have been beaten by Juventus in the race
for Boca Juniors' midfield sensation Rodrigo Bentancur, according to the Mail.

As part of the deal that took Carlos Tevez back to
Argentina, the Old Lady secured a first option on Boca's youngsters until April
next year.

As well as Jose Mourinho's club, Real Madrid and AC Milan
have shown an interest, with Boca president Daniel Angelici conceding a £6.7
million deal -- for 50 percent of the player's rights -- is to be completed
soon with the Bianconeri.

"It is already signed. When I was in Switzerland
recently Juventus informed me that that they were going to activate the option
so I will travel to Turin soon in order to complete the deal," Angelici
revealed to TyC Sports.

Ox Offered Arsenal
Escape Abroad

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be offered a fresh start after
struggling to win a starting role at Arsenal, with Tuttosport reporting that
the former Saints star could join Valencia or Sevilla.

Both Cesare Prandelli and Jorge Sampaoli are keen on the
England international, who is yet to score more than two Premier League goals
in a season since joining the Gunners in 2011 from Southampton.

A move to Spain could suit the 23-year-old, whose
versatility would certainly fit in with Sampaoli's exciting 3-4-3 setup at
Sevilla.

Craig Burley talks Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's chances for a
spot in the starting XI at Arsenal.

Verratti In
Blow To Rival Clubs

Marco Verratti has delivered a blow to European rivals keen
to sign him, as the Italian has insisted he will not leave Paris Saint-Germain
until he wins the Champions League, according to Tuttosport.

The Italian midfield maestro is one of the game's best
deep-lying playmakers and as one of the Azzurri's top stars, Serie A clubs are
particularly desperate to lure him away from Paris.

"It [the Champions League] is my objective, I cannot
leave this club without lifting the cup," Verratti explained.

PSG endured the loss of talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to
Manchester United, last summer, but Verratti has handed Unai Emery a major
boost by committing his future to the club, at least until they land Europe's
top prize.

Big Sam
Linked With Sunderland Return

Former England boss Sam Allardyce “is being lined up for a
sensational return to Sunderland”, according to a report.

The Chinese consortium bidding to buy the Wearside club will
“break the bank” to bring back Allardyce if their takeover deal is ratified,
according to The Sun.

Black Cats boss David Moyes is feeling the heat with
Sunderland rock-bottom of the Premier League and without a win after eight
games.

The former Everton and Manchester United boss last night
received a vote of confidence from chief executive Martin Bain and he is
desperate to see the Scot succeed, but if the club is sold then Big Sam is
believed to be their top boss target.

Allardyce left his role as England manager just three weeks
ago by mutual consent following conduct judged to be ‘inappropriate of the
England manager’.

Others

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, 29, was so keen to play
for Pep Guardiola that he called Manchester City during the summer about a
transfer. (RAC1)

Manchester United will not alter their travel plans when
they go to London to face Chelsea on Sunday, despite arriving late amid traffic
chaos for fixtures at Tottenham and West Ham last season. (Daily Mail)

Billionaire businessman Sir Philip Green – criticised
heavily by MPs following the collapse of high-street retailer BHS – has refused
to comment on suggestions that he had an undeclared role at Everton. (Liverpool
Echo)

Nottingham Forest owner Fawaz al-Hasawi has made a series of
significant financial demands to any potential buyer, including that they pay
him an annual salary that could rise above £1m. (Guardian)

Former Everton and Manchester City striker Jo, now playing
in China, has opened up about his battle with a drink habit. (Mirror)

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson has candidly declared that his
team may have to “cheat more” in order to win matches. (Mirror)

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, 38, told his critics
to cancel plans for his career “funeral” after an inspired display against Lyon
in the Champions League on Tuesday. (Mediaset Premium)

Leicester full-back Danny Simpson, 29, believes the club can
win the Champions League this season. (Daily Star)

Simpson says a heated team meeting following Saturday’s 3-0
defeat at Chelsea has refocused the champions. (Daily Express)

Out-of-favour Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho, 26, is
getting close to full fitness as he continues to train with the club’s under-23
side. (Liverpool Echo)

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, 25, has returned
to training after a hamstring injury forced him to miss Monday’s draw with
Manchester United. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle United could be considering bring defender Tamas
Kadar, 26, back to the club after scouts were spotted watching him play for
Lech Poznan on Sunday. (Newcastle Chronicle)

Hull City striker Dieumerci Mbokani, 30, will not play again
for a month because of a torn hamstring. (Hull Daily Mail)

West Brom’s new owner Guochuan Lai is planning minor changes
to the club’s board to ensure he has formal representation while he is in his
native China. (Birmingham Mail)

Manchester United made a bid for Uruguayan wonderkid Rodrigo
Bentancur, who now looks set for Juventus after the Italian club activated a
first option clause to buy the 19-year-old – part of the deal that saw Carlos
Tevez go the other way.